The M-1 motorway between Peshawar and Islamabad closes to all traffic from 11pm on Wednesday, indefinitely (Express Tribune).
The order
“The federal government has imposed a complete ban on traffic and advised motorists to avoid travelling on the Peshawar Motorway (M-1), which will remain closed to all types of traffic from 11:00pm on Wednesday, September 23, until further orders.”
The M-2, between Islamabad and Lahore, remains open.
Why
To prevent PTI caravans from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reaching Islamabad ahead of the 27 September march.
What “all types of traffic” means
Everyone. The M-1 is the principal road link between Peshawar and the capital, carrying freight, commuters, patients travelling for treatment, students and families, none of whom are marching.
Closing it indefinitely four days before an event is a different proposition from closing it on the day. “Until further orders” places no limit on a restriction imposed on an entire province’s main road connection to the rest of the country.
The pattern, now complete
| | | |—|—| | Section 144 | imposed across Punjab, 13-17 September | | Containers seized | about 1,000 loaded vehicles, food spoiling inside | | Entry points sealed | 8 in Rawalpindi, with eight-inch spiked containers | | Mobile internet | shutdown announced during marches | | Detentions | 30+ activists under MPO; Imran Khan’s sisters and relatives in Lahore | | Personnel requested | 15,000 | | M-1 | closed indefinitely |
The same day
The information minister was in Peshawar ruling out Governor’s Rule and calling for dialogue. PTI’s chairman said the party had never closed the door to talks.
The de-escalation is verbal. The escalation is physical, and it is the one with a timestamp on it.
What the courts have said
The Islamabad High Court’s 37-page judgment prohibits occupying roads and public places in and leading to the capital, while recognising the right of peaceful assembly. It did not authorise closing a motorway to the general public.
What is not established
No end date or review mechanism has been given. It has not been stated which authority issued the order, whether compensation or alternative routing is contemplated for freight, or what conditions would reopen the road.
[Image: The Express Tribune]
